Shenzhen is planning to amend the pricing structure of its water
supply to certain service industries and to promote the recycling
of wastewater.
The People's Congress of Shenzhen passed a resolution earlier
this week urging a new pricing structure for recycled, desalinated,
and refined rainwater so as to encourage more utilization of water
resources.
The resolution also seeks to increase the price of piped water
for certain service industries, such as car-wash outlets and
saunas.
In Beijing, the price of water for car-wash outlets and saunas
is 45 yuan (US$5.9) per cu m, and for water for domestic use, 3.7
yuan a cubic meter.
In Shenzhen, the prices are 7.5 yuan and 1.9 yuan per cu m
respectively. The low prices have had little effect in conserving
water.
"Increasing the price of water is an effective solution to
easing the shortage," Jiang Zhunyu, director of the Shenzhen water
resource bureau, said.
"The price for domestic water will only be slightly increased,
so as not to greatly affect the public. The price increase for
special water users, however, will be significant," Jiang said.
The increases will be put into effect gradually. Relevant
departments will hold meetings with members of the public to
solicit their opinions, Ma Yubin, deputy director of the Shenzhen
price department, said.
At the end of last year, water used commercially accounted for
about 10 percent of the city's total water consumption.
(China Daily September 27, 2007)
